HIGHLIGHTS:

• As the Trump Administration focuses on promoting American energy independence, it has made available new funding opportunities to deploy tribal energy projects on tribal lands.
• These opportunities are the first step by the Administration to implement its Executive Order titled "Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth," with stated goals to remove regulatory burdens hindering energy development, ensure energy is affordable for all Americans, and to promote American energy development in the areas of coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower and other domestic sources, including renewable sources.
• The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) have funding opportunities available that seek to provide technical assistance and competitive grant funding for a variety of energy projects on tribal lands.

As the Trump Administration seeks to promote American energy independence, new funding opportunities for deploying tribal energy projects on tribal lands are now available. These opportunities are the first step by the Administration to implement its Executive Order issued in March titled "Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth," which calls for the removal of regulatory burdens hindering energy development, ensuring energy is affordable for all Americans, and promoting American energy development in the areas of coal, natural gas, nuclear material, hydropower and other domestic sources, including renewable sources. Below is a list of the most recent opportunities:

1. DOE Office of Indian Energy Technical Assistance

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs issued a notice seeking applications from federally recognized Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, Alaska Native regional and village corporations, and tribal energy resource development organizations for technical assistance to advance tribal energy projects in tribal communities. Funding can be used for energy planning, housing and building energy efficiency, project development, policy and regulation, resilience and providing village power. There is no restriction on the type of energy resources preferred for this funding opportunity. Past awards include solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, utility, lighting, energy efficiency and a package of multiple renewable energy projects. More information is available about this funding opportunity on the DOE website.

2. USDA Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a notice accepting applications from federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native villages, regional or village corporations, outside the boundaries of a city of 20,000 or more, to provide technical assistance and/or training with respect to essential community facilities programs. Recipients can use the grants to hire specialized personnel, pay for feasibility studies, retain consultants to prepare financial assistance applications and identify and plan for long-term community facility needs. The maximum grant is $150,000. More information is available about this funding opportunity on the USDA website. Applications must be received on or before July 24, 2017.

3. DOI Native American Business Development Institute Feasibility Study Program

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a notice seeking proposals from federally recognized Indian tribes, including Alaska federally recognized tribal entities, for technical assistance to hire consultants to perform feasibility studies for economic development opportunities, including energy development. The Grants.gov website has more information available about this funding opportunity and how to apply. Applications must be received on or before Aug. 12, 2017.